Kim Sang-jun (24) never expected to find his motivation in a military barracks while casually watching baseball. But there on the screen was a familiar face: Kim Young-woong (23), his former roommate at Mulgeum High School and a year his junior. At the time, Kim Young-woong was making his first-team debut for the Samsung Lions, wearing the team’s blue uniform. In his very first at-bat, he launched a home run, immediately catching the attention of acting manager Park Jin-man—and leaving an indelible impression on Kim Sang-jun. Watching his junior’s post-game interview as the winning player, Kim Sang-jun was flooded with thoughts and ultimately decided to pick up the bat again.
Kim Sang-jun’s baseball journey has been anything but smooth. After graduating from Mulgeum High School, he went undrafted in the rookie draft. He enrolled in a university (Gumi University), but with only nine players on the team, the conditions were so poor that he quit baseball just two months into his studies. Seeking a different path, he enlisted in the military as a communications soldier, completely cutting ties with baseball. Then, six months before his discharge, he happened to watch his high school junior’s professional debut, which reignited his courage.
“Seeing a friend I used to eat, practice, and play games with every day giving an interview after his first-team debut gave me courage,” Kim Sang-jun recalled. After being discharged, he contacted his former high school coach and resumed playing baseball. He later attended another university (Dongwon Institute of Science and Technology) and tried the rookie draft again, only to face another rejection. However, soon after, he received an offer from Samsung to join as a developmental player, finally realizing his dream of becoming a professional.
Kim Sang-jun shared, “The offer was even more welcome because it was the team where Young-woong plays. We had been keeping in touch, and when I told him I was joining Samsung, he didn’t believe me at first but was still happy. He cheered me on, saying, ‘Now you just have to focus on baseball.'” Knowing that as a developmental player, the financial burden of purchasing equipment would be heavy, Kim Young-woong generously provided bats, sunglasses, and other baseball gear. “Young-woong visits our alma mater every year after graduation to make donations and inspire the younger students. He did the same for me. He’s a true hero to me,” Kim Sang-jun said with a smile.
After overcoming numerous obstacles to join the pros, Kim Sang-jun honed his skills in the Futures (second-team) league. In May of this year, he was converted to a full roster player and made his first-team debut on the 3rd. Despite being unexpectedly inserted as a defensive replacement during the game, he showed steady defense. On the 5th against the Kiwoom Heroes, he had his first at-bat and recorded his first hit. Though he went 1-for-4, three of his batted balls were well-struck, demonstrating his talent at the plate.
Now assigned a two-digit uniform number, he feels the reality of becoming a regular player. He aims to survive on the first-team stage and eventually share the field with his high school junior, Kim Young-woong. Although there is a high barrier in shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, he is determined to quietly refine his skills and contribute to the team.
Kim Sang-jun reflected, “I never imagined the situation where Young-woong would be in the second team (due to a hamstring injury) and I’d be in the first team. He told me to wait a little, that he’d come up soon and we’d play together. I hope that becomes reality. I have to prove myself to keep getting opportunities. I’ll work even harder and give it my all.”
